HOLLAND, MI—LG Chem aims to start production at its automotive lithium-ion battery factory here in the second half of this year.

FLAT ROCK, MI—As production plans gear up, the hiring process has begun for a second shift at Ford’s assembly plant here. The automaker expects to hire 1,400 workers.

MOUNT MORRIS TOWNSHIP, MI—Sanluis Rassini, which makes leaf springs, brake components and other auto parts, is building a $17.3 million assembly plant here. The facility is expected to create 55 jobs.

DETROIT—GM and Ford will jointly develop a new line of nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions for cars and trucks to enhance vehicle performance and fuel economy.

DETROIT—GM is planning to invest about $332 million at four of its U.S. powertrain assembly plants to produce new engines and transmissions.

DETROIT—Last summer, watchmaker Shinola opened a new assemble plant here with just 14 employees. Today, the company has 25 workers and is planning to hire 10 more in the next few months.

WAYNE, MI—Ford Motor Co.’s revamped Michigan Assembly Plant here supports 24,000 statewide jobs and injects $1.8 billion annually into Michigan’s economy, according to analysis from the Center for Automotive Research.

LANSING, MI—General Motors Co. could receive $4 million in tax breaks from the city of Lansing for building a $38.6 million logistical center there to support its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant.

WARREN, MI—Chrysler is on track to build more than 300,000 Ram 1500 pickups at its assembly plant here this year—the most in the plant’s history.

THREE RIVERS, MI—American Axle & Manufacturing is investing more than $100 million in its assembly plant here, creating more than 500 new jobs.